Sofa bed



Dec. 7, 1965 J. SIEGEL 3,221,348

SOFA BED Filed Jan. 22, 1964 INVEN R. (Av oms 1. 0/665,

United States Patent 3,221,348 SQFA BED Jerome L. Siegel, Cornwelis Beach Road, Sands Point, NY. Fitted Jan. 22, 1964, Ser. No. 339,470 8 Claims. (Cl. -28) This invention relates to a sofa of the type that is convertible into a pair of beds.

As those skilled in the art fully appreciate, sofas of the particular class are generally made so as to convert to one double bed to accommodate two persons. It has however, long been desired to manufacture a sofa of the particular class adapted to contain two beds. Unfortunately, a sofa sufficiently large to hold two convertible beds must be manufactured with an extremely strong and rigid frame in order to be adapted for moving about. However, an even more important problem is that of handling. Thus, a sofa sufficiently large to hold two convertible beds cannot be moved into and out of the usual home or apartment for which it is designed. Thus, the usual home or apartment simply does not have the wide halls and wide doorways that will permit the manipulation of the extremely large sofa that results when a pair of convertible beds are built into that sofa.

It has been suggested that a sofa of the particular class be made by combining two sections, each section to hold a convertible bed. Each section may then be separately moved and the two sections then combined in the home. However, from a commercial viewpoint, a sectional sofa containing convertible beds does not have that appearance that will make it commercially acceptable. Thus, it is essential that a convertible bed sofa have the appearance of a conventional sofa, and the assembly therefore of sectional units such as heretofore known and suggested, simply does not meet the requirements of the public interested in furniture of the particular class.

I believe that the concept of my invention, which I have embodied in sofas that have been found extremely acceptable, is the first practical solution of the problem I have here set forth. Thus, my concept involves the utilization of a pair of sofa beds, each having a standard convertible bed unit therein. Each sofa bed unit will preferably have a standard arm at one end, and may be upholstered in the manner of a standard sofa, but it will have no back. I then assemble the two sofa beds by use of a novel single back to form a single sofa having the appearance of a conventional sofa not equipped with convertible bed units. Not only will the single back coact with the arms to give the appearance of a conventional sofa, but the single back will coact also with cushions resting on the convertible bed units, to give all of the appearance of a conventional sofa having such cushions.

More in detail, each of the sofa beds will have upstanding conventional supports for the swinging mounting of the convertible bed units. The single back utilized by me for forming a single sofa will be shaped so as to fit over the upstanding supports. Preferably, there will be an interlocking and support action between the single back and the vertical supports as well as an interlocking engagement between the frame of each of the sofa beds and the rear surface of the single back.

A sofa bed manufactured in accordance with my concept will be shipped to the consumer in three parts, and moved as three parts into the apartment or home in which it is to be utilized. It can then be very easily assembled by the purchaser, or by the moving men, merely by movement of the back into position, and by the operation of a series of thumb turns, all as will hereinafter be made readily apparent. When the assembly operation is completed, the sofa bed will have all that strength that is required, while the single back will have that cooperation with the arms and cushions that is considered necessary in a conventional sofa.

I have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of my invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that my contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of my invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention, in order to prevent the appropriation of my invention by those skilled in the art.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective sketch of a sofa manufactured in accordance with the teachings of my invention.

FIG. 2 shows the sofa with the seating cushions removed and the convertible bed units in extended position prepared for use as sleeping units.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the seating cushions removed and the two sofa beds separated from the single back.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the back in position for movement into coaction with parts of a sofa bed.

FIG. 5 shows the single back in assembled relation to a sofa bed so as to hold a pair of sofa beds as in FIG. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 10 indicates a standard rectangular sofa bed having an upholstered arm 11. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the construction may be varied, but in general, the sofa bed will be formed of a wood frame and will be covered in muslin and then with a decorative fabric. In some sofas, the legs 12 will be exposed, and in others the legs will be hidden by a skirt formed of the same material that is used to upholster the sofa. These various features are not important for a consideration of the invention as will be well appreciated. The second sofa bed of the finished sofa of my invention, is designated by reference numeral 13, and it is furnished also with an upholstered arm 14. Obviously, the sofa bed 13 is merely a reversed form of the sofa bed 10.

Each sofa bed is formed with an opening 15, and in each opening is fitted a standard convertible bed unit designated by the reference numeral 16. Each convertible bed unit 16 has a mattress 17 shown folded in FIGS. 4 and 5, and shown extended in sleep position in FIG. 2. Each convertible bed unit comprises a metal frame having several legs 18 as shown in FIG. 2, and as is conventional. Each convertible bed unit also has two lever arms 19 which are pivoted at 20 to vertically upstanding supports 21. As is well seen in FIG. 3, there are two of these vertically upstanding supports 21 on each sofa bed, their location being such as to permit the upward swinging movement of each convertible bed unit 16 on lever arms 19 from its nested position of FIGS. 4 and 5 within openings 15 into the extended position of FIG. 2. I do not show details of the convertible bed units 16 because these units are conventional.

The single back of the sofa of my invention is designated generally by reference letter B. It is formed preferably by the manufacture of a rigid wood frame using standard furniture technique, and may be equipped with springs or some resilient material such as foam rubber, and then covered with a fabric that will be exactly the same fabric as that utilized in covering the two sofa beds 10 and 13 of my combination sofa. Since the main frame of the back B may be manufactured in many ways as is evident, I have not shown the details of that construction. For the purpose of this invention, it is well to note that preferably the single back B takes the form substantially of an inverted V, with one leg of the V designated by reference numeral 30 and the other leg by reference numeral 31.

The interior of the inverted V is not upholstered naturally, and is adapted to house each of the four upstanding supports 21. Preferably, the relationship between the supports 21 and the inverted V is such that the supports will assist in the effective assembly of the inverted V back B to the two sofas 10 and 13. Thus, surface 32 of the leg 31 will lie against the surface 33 of each upstanding support 21, as is well illustrated in FIG. when the back B is assembled to the sofa beds and 13. To further assist in the assembly, the leg 31 has extending therefrom four pins 34 adapted to enter socket openings 39 in the supports 31, so as to better locate the back B relatively to the supports 21 and effect further a rigid assembly of the parts.

Extending from the rear leg 30 of the inverted V back B, I have a series of four or more bolts 35 adapted to enter a series of openings 36 in a base bar 37 fixed at the lower back of each of the sofa beds, as is well illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. When the back B is inserted into assembled position as shown in FIG. 5, a wing nut 38 may coact with each bolt 35 to mount the back B in position. Obviously, the weight of the leg 30 and therefore the weight of the back B, is partially accepted by the base member 37, all with the assistance and coaction of bolts 35 and the thumb turns 38. Further reenforcing is made possible through the coaction of the vertically extending supports 21 with the forward leg 31 of the back B, again augmented by the pins 34 entering the sockets 35.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the back B, when assembled to the two sofa beds 10 and 13 as illustrated in FIG. 5, will hold those sofa beds in the relation shown in FIG, 1. Further, the assembly set forth may be made with great facility, and will take only a few moments. It is further obvious that when the two sofa beds are assembled, the seating cushions designated each by the letter C, may be placed in a position lying on the upper surface of the convertible bed units 16, with the rear of each cushion C against the upholstered forward surface of the leg 31 of back B. It is obvious also that the rear surface of the back B will be upholstered as will preferably also be the lower bars 37. This will permit the final assembled sofa to be positioned anywhere in the room, and to give a fine finished appearance with all surfaces that should be upholstered being upholstered, and with the sofa presenting the unitary appearance of a conventional sofa.

I believe that the extreme desirability of my invention and the simplicity of its construction will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I now claim:

1. In a combination sofa of the class described, a pair of separated substantially rectangular sofa beds comprising each a separate substantially rectangular base member having a substantially rectangular opening within which is mounted a standard convertible bed unit having a mattress assembly adapted to lie with its upper surface in position to support a sofa cushion when said unit is in its retracted inside position in said opening, a seating cushion resting on said upper surface, a vertically upstanding support at each end of the opening in each sofa bed at the rear side of each sofa bed, said supports extending above the level of said upper surface and on each of which a portion of said standard convertible bed unit is mounted, and a separate single back for both said sofa beds to form with said separate beds a combination sofa, said separate back comprising a longitudinal inverted V frame substan tially the length of both said sofa beds and with both outside surfaces of said V upholstered so that one surface of the inverted V forms the back rest of said combination sofa and the other surface forms the back of the sofa, while the interior of the V overlies said upstanding supports, and means for assembling said separate single back to said separate sofa beds.

2. In a combination sofa of the class described, a pair of separate substantially rectangular sofa beds comprising each a separate substantially rectangular base member having a substantially rectangular opening within which is mounted a standard convertible bed unit having a mattress assembly to lie with its upper surface in position to support a sofa cushion when said unit is in its retracted inside position in said opening, a seating cushion resting on said upper surface, assembly portions on said separate sofa beds, a single back for both said sofa beds to form by assembly with said separate beds a combination sofa, said single back being separate from said separate sofa beds and comprising a longitudinal inverted V frame substantially the length of both sofa beds when said beds are placed side by side, both outside surfaces of said V being upholstered so that one surface of the V forms the back rest of said combination sofa and the other surface forms the back of the sofa, the interior surfaces of the V coacting with said assembly portions for assembly thereto, and readily releasable means securing said V frame to each of said sofa beds to assemble the sofa beds to said V frame and to each other.

3. In a combination sofa of the class described, a pair of separate substantially rectangular sofa bed units comprising each a substantially rectangular base member having a substantially rectangular opening within which is mounted a standard convertible bed unit having a mattress assembly adapted to lie with its upper surface in position to support a sofa cushion when said unit is in its retracted inside position in said opening, a sofa cushion resting on said upper surface, a single back for both said sofa beds, said single back comprising a separate longitudinal inverted V frame substantially the length of both said sofa beds when said sofa beds are placed side by side, both outside surfaces of said V being upholstered so that one surface of the inverted V forms the back rest of said combination sofa and the other surface forms the back of the sofa, and readily releasable means securing said V frame to each of said sofa beds whereby to form a single assembly of said separate V frame and said two separate sofa beds.

4. In a combination sofa of the class described, a pair of separate free standing substantially rectangular sofa beds comprising each a substantially rectangular base member having a substantially rectangular opening within which is mounted a standard convertible bed unit having a mattress assembly, a seating cushion resting on said mattress assembly, assembly supports at the rear of each sofa bed and to which is secured a portion of the standard convertible bed unit, each support extending above the level of the upper surface of the mattress assembly and at one side of said cushion, a separate single back member for both said sofa beds comprising a forward upholstered rest surface positioned with its bottom portion abutting the end surfaces of said cushions of both sofa beds, and a rear upholstered surface at an angle to said rest surface forming the back of said combination sofa, said rest surface and said rear upholstered surface forming an inverted V with the assembly supports upstanding and lying within the V opening of said inverted V, and means securing said V frame to each of said separate sofa beds whereby to form a single assembly of said separate V frame and said two sofa beds.

5. In a combination sofa of the class described, a pair of substantially rectangular sofa beds comprising each a substantially rectangular base member having a substantially rectangular opening within which is mounted a standard convertible bed unit having a mattress assembly adapted to lie with its upper surface in position to support a sofa cushion when said unit is in its retracted inside position in said opening, a seating cushion resting on said upper surface, a vertically upstanding support at each end of the opening in each sofa bed at the rear side of each sofa bed, said supports extending above the level of said upper surface and on each of which a portion of said standard convertible bed unit is mounted, a single back for both said sofa beds to form a combination sofa comprising a longitudinal inverted V frame substantially the length of both sofa beds overlying said upstanding supports and with both outside surfaces of the legs of said V frame upholstered so that the Outside surface of one leg of the inverted V forms the back rest of said combination sofa and the outside surface of the rear leg of the V frame forms the back of the sofa, and the interior forward surface of the V frame lying against surfaces of said upstanding supports whereby said supports reinforce said single back.

6. In a combination of the class described, a pair of substantially rectangular sofa beds comprising each a substantially rectangular base member having a substantially rectangular opening within which is mounted a standard convertible bed unit having a mattress assembly adapted to lie with its upper surface in position to support a sofa cushion when said unit is in its retracted inside position in said opening, a seating cushion resting on said upper surface, a vertically upstanding support at each end of the opening in each sofa bed at the rear side of each sofa bed, said supports extending above the level of said upper surface and on each of which a portion of said standard convertible bed unit is mounted, a single back for both said sofa beds to form a combination sofa comprising a longitudinal inverted V frame substantially the length of both sofa beds overlying said upstanding supports and with both outside surfaces of the legs of said V frame upholstered so that the outside surface of one leg of the inverted V forms the back rest of said combination sofa and the outside surface of the rear leg of the V frame forms the back of the sofa, the interior forward surface of the V frame lying against surfaces of said upstanding supports whereby said supports reinforce said single back, and means securing the rear leg of said inverted V frame to each of said sofa beds.

7. In a combination sofa of the class described, a pair of substantially rectangular sofa beds comprising each a substantially rectangular base member having a substantially rectangular opening within which is mounted a standard convertible bed unit having a mattress assembly adapted to lie with its upper surface in position to support a sofa cushion when said unit is in its retracted inside position in said opening, a seating cushion resting on said upper surface, a vertically upstanding support at each end of the opening in each sofa bed at the rear side of each sofa bed, said supports extending above the level of said upper surface and on each of which a portion of said standard convertible bed unit is mounted, a single back for both said sofa beds to form a combination sofa comprising a longitudinal inverted V frame substantially the length of both sofa beds overlying said upstanding supports and with both outside surfaces of the legs of said V frame upholstered so that the outside surface of one leg of the inverted V forms the back rest of said combination sofa and the outside surface of the rear leg of the V frame forms the back of the sofa, and means locking the interior forward surface of the V frame to said upstanding supports whereby said supports reinforce said single back.

8. In a combination sofa of the class described, a pair of separate substantially rectangular sofa beds comprising each a separate substantially rectangular free standing base member having a substantially rectangular opening Within which is mounted a standard convertible bed unit having a mattress assembly to lie with its upper surface in position to support a sofa cushion when said unit is in its retracted inside position in said opening, a seating cushion resting on said upper surface, assembly portions on each of said separate sofa beds, a single back for both said sofa beds to form by assembly with said separate beds a combination sofa, said back being separate from said separate sofa beds and comprising a longitudinal frame substantially the length of both sofa beds when said beds are placed side by side, one outside surface of the said back frame forming the back rest of said combination sofa, and the other outside surface of said frame forming the back of the sofa, other surfaces of the back frame formed for coaction with said assembly portions for assembly thereto, and means securing said back frame to each of said sofa beds to assemble the sofa beds to said back frame and to each other for the purpose described.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,081,374 5/1937 Hall et al. 514 2,087,574 7/1937 Kaufer 5-29 2,466,204 4/1949 Brown 5-12 X 2,818,583 1/1958 Nowell et al. 5-59 X 3,079,613 3/1963 Blecker 513 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

R. B. FARLEY, Assistant Examiner. 

3. IN A COMBINATION SOFA OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, A PAIR OF SEPARATE SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR SOFA BED UNITS COMPRISING EACH A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR BASE MEMBER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR OPENING WITHIN WHICH IS MOUNTED A STANDARD CONVERTIBLE BED UNIT HAVING A MATTRESS ASSEMBLY ADAPTED TO LIE WITH ITS UPPER SURFACE IN POSITION TO SUPPORT A SOFA CUSHION WHEN SAID UNIT IS IN ITS RETRACTED INSIDE POSITION IN SAID OPENING, A SOFA CUSHION RESTING ON SAID UPPER SURFACE, A SINGLE BACK FOR BOTH SAID SOFA BEDS, SAID SINGLE BACK COMPRISING A SEPARATE LONGITUDINAL INVERTED V FRAME SUBSTANTIALLY THE LENGTH OF BOTH SAID SOFA BEDS WHEN SAID SOFA BEDS ARE PLACED SIDE BY SIDE, BOTH OUTSIDE SURFACES OF SAID V BEING UPHOLSTERED SO THAT ONE SURFACE OF THE INVERTED V FORMS THE BACK REST OF SAID COMBINATION SOFA AND THE OTHER SURFACE FORMS THE BACK OF THE SOFA, AND READILY RELEASABLE MEANS SECURING SAID V FRAME TO EACH OF SAID SOFA BEDS WHEREBY TO FORM A SINGLE ASSEMBLY OF SAID SEPARATE V FRAME AND SAID TWO SEPARATE SOFA BEDS. 